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  #1  
Old 01-31-2010, 03:14 PM
Zeugitai Zeugitai is offline
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Default Going Nowhere

My 2002 Ranger is going nowhere on the ice- and snow-covered roads of northwest Iowa. It is a 2WD. (Actually a one-wheel drive; and that wheel is always spinning helplessly on these slick roads.) I added about 250 pounds over the rear wheels, but it seems to have accomplished nothing. All I can think of, besides tire chains, is to add more weight. Maybe get tires with some real aggressive tread. Is anyone in the forums using a 2WD Ranger in any place with serious winters and getting by? Please tell me how/what you are doing. I can't afford to get a new/different vehicle. Thanks
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  #2  
Old 01-31-2010, 03:28 PM
STL STL is offline
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400 pounds and BFG a/t tires and I am good to go with my 2wd

I have L/S which actually helps I also pull the fuse for the ABS for better stopping
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  #3  
Old 01-31-2010, 03:54 PM
Harleymedic53 Harleymedic53 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STL View Post
400 pounds and BFG a/t tires and I am good to go with my 2wd

I have L/S which actually helps I also pull the fuse for the ABS for better stopping
Does that work for 4x4's? I hate that abs stuff kickin in all the time. it always seems like it kicks in too easy. and i pump my foot anyway. How would i go about finding the right fuse?
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Old 01-31-2010, 04:37 PM
STL STL is offline
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owners manual will show what fuse

check the general discussion section for a thread of manuals if u dont have one.
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  #5  
Old 01-31-2010, 05:03 PM
Harleymedic53 Harleymedic53 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STL View Post
owners manual will show what fuse

check the general discussion section for a thread of manuals if u dont have one.
Would you reccomend doin that though? are there any down sides to pullin the fuse?
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The {EVOLUTION} Continues
!:::My Ride:::!
[SIZE="1"]2003 FX4 Ext cab 4x4.
4.0L V6, 4.10 axel 8.8 l/s, CAI, 2.25" Exhaust w/ turbo muffler.
T-bar crank, 33x12.5 Firestone Destination A/T on 15x8 Soft 8's.
3" BL, 6400 Shackels
Red LED's:Under dash and behind Grill, 6" fogs behind grill, painted headlights and flairs
Truxxedo Lo-pro Tonneu Cover and Chrome bed rails
Mods to come:DIY bedliner.
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  #6  
Old 01-31-2010, 08:30 PM
bigcountry bigcountry is offline
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get some bags of sand and sit them with your already 250 pounds that is already in the bed id say about 4 or 5 bags 50 pounds each. and that way if you get stuck atleast you have something to help you get out. as for the rear axle i would suggest a lockrite or L/S and that will give you at least 2 tires turnning and also turn your overdrive off and pop the truck in 2gear if you have an automatic.
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  #7  
Old 01-31-2010, 08:51 PM
Stumblefoot Stumblefoot is offline
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yeah maybe a little late for this snow/ice storm but a locking rear axle will help ALOT. and yeah more weight, 250lbs? stop by McDonalds and get a fat chick to sit on the tailgate. LOL Bigcountry has it about right start with about 500 lbs and go up from there.
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  #8  
Old 01-31-2010, 09:18 PM
Harleymedic53 Harleymedic53 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STL View Post
400 pounds and BFG a/t tires and I am good to go with my 2wd

I have L/S which actually helps I also pull the fuse for the ABS for better stopping
So i pulled out my ABS fuse and now the ABS light is always on.. that is normal rite? jus checkin
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The {EVOLUTION} Continues
!:::My Ride:::!
[SIZE="1"]2003 FX4 Ext cab 4x4.
4.0L V6, 4.10 axel 8.8 l/s, CAI, 2.25" Exhaust w/ turbo muffler.
T-bar crank, 33x12.5 Firestone Destination A/T on 15x8 Soft 8's.
3" BL, 6400 Shackels
Red LED's:Under dash and behind Grill, 6" fogs behind grill, painted headlights and flairs
Truxxedo Lo-pro Tonneu Cover and Chrome bed rails
Mods to come:DIY bedliner.
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  #9  
Old 01-31-2010, 09:22 PM
bigcountry bigcountry is offline
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yea it sounds rite the truck is seeing a problem with the abs so yea the light should come on
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Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
General Geroge S Patton
2007 3.0
automatic trans, 4.10s with L/S
ported and polished TB
4brand new speakers with inslation in doors
smoked tail lights
20%tint on driver and passenger windows
5% tint on back window
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  #10  
Old 01-31-2010, 10:56 PM
Harleymedic53 Harleymedic53 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigcountry View Post
yea it sounds rite the truck is seeing a problem with the abs so yea the light should come on
Thats wat i figured but i was jus makin sure.. its kinda annoying but i hate that pulsating that the ABS does
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The {EVOLUTION} Continues
!:::My Ride:::!
[SIZE="1"]2003 FX4 Ext cab 4x4.
4.0L V6, 4.10 axel 8.8 l/s, CAI, 2.25" Exhaust w/ turbo muffler.
T-bar crank, 33x12.5 Firestone Destination A/T on 15x8 Soft 8's.
3" BL, 6400 Shackels
Red LED's:Under dash and behind Grill, 6" fogs behind grill, painted headlights and flairs
Truxxedo Lo-pro Tonneu Cover and Chrome bed rails
Mods to come:DIY bedliner.
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  #11  
Old 02-01-2010, 10:54 AM
Zeugitai Zeugitai is offline
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Default Axles

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigcountry View Post
get some bags of sand and sit them with your already 250 pounds that is already in the bed id say about 4 or 5 bags 50 pounds each. and that way if you get stuck at least you have something to help you get out. as for the rear axle i would suggest a lockrite or L/S and that will give you at least 2 tires turning and also turn your overdrive off and pop the truck in 2gear if you have an automatic.
Yes, thanks. I was using bags of water-softener salt but the sand makes more sense. I need to learn about your suggestions for rear axles. Two tires turning would have got me through this. As it stands, I missed a promising job interview because of iced-up roads. Watching that one tire turning helplessly on the ice just about broke my heart that day. Roads here have never been as badly iced up as this year. I'll start doing my homework on the rear axles, but any links or suggestions would be appreciated. I have a stock 2002 Ranger.

Thanks again
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  #12  
Old 02-01-2010, 11:08 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleymedic53 View Post
Would you reccomend doin that though? are there any down sides to pullin the fuse?
Don't. The downsides are you lose all control while braking. I don't know why people think that skidding tires are providing anything useful to them. They don't. Despite the funny noises, pulsing pedal, and perception of it not slowing down, it is far more effective than sliding tires. Do not remove the fuse.
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  #13  
Old 02-01-2010, 11:11 AM
dixie_boysles dixie_boysles is offline
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that abs crap--is that when you hit the brakes and the pedal pushes back up like it doesn't want you to press it?
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  #14  
Old 02-01-2010, 11:25 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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What you're feeling is not it pressing back actually. You're feeling the ABS varying the brake pressure to each wheel to keep them on the edge of locking up. What you feel in your foot is not indicative of what is actually happening to the wheels.
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  #15  
Old 02-01-2010, 02:00 PM
dads truck dads truck is offline
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My abs light has been on since last October and I don't miss the ABS at all. I have learned not to take stopping on ice or snow for granted, (like people who have ABS tend to do, I know I did,) and I am much more aware of what my truck does when I slow down on ice and snow and can compensate now instead of hoping my ABS works like it should.

As for the OP, 400 or 500 pounds from the axle to the front of the bed is ideal for a two wheel drive. But a good set of snow, not winter, but the old style snow tires would also help you imensely.

Any of you guys who are 30 or older should know what I mean by the old style snow tires.
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